The Philadelphia Phillies enter this offseason with plenty to reflect on after their disappointing elimination in the NLDS. Falling short once again to their rivals has left players frustrated, and while changes are expected, the club faces a challenge in overhauling a roster laden with long-term contracts and limited trade pieces.
One glaring issue the Phillies must address is their fifth starter role. Taijuan Walker’s struggles—culminating in the worst season of his career—left the rotation thin down the stretch. The team’s other backup options weren’t ready for the big leagues, exposing a crucial weakness in their quest for postseason success. Despite Walker’s struggles, the Phillies are likely to give him another chance, given the $36 million he’s owed over the next two seasons.
However, the Phillies may have a solution waiting in the wings: top pitching prospect Andrew Painter. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently dropped a bombshell regarding Painter’s potential role in 2025, saying, “I do think he’ll be pitching at the big-league level at some point in ’25,” according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
This is a major development for Philadelphia. Painter, once regarded as the best pitching prospect in minor league baseball, hasn’t pitched in two seasons due to Tommy John surgery. However, the Phillies have sent him to the Arizona Fall League to begin his return. The 21-year-old last pitched in 2023, where he posted a stunning 1.56 ERA across 22 starts at three levels. Painter’s enormous potential could make a huge impact on the Phillies’ rotation next season, even if he’s not a full-time starter right away.
While Dombrowski hinted that Painter won’t be a regular rotation piece immediately—his innings will be carefully managed—the mere prospect of his return is exciting. “What we’re going to have to figure out is how we get him to pitch next year. Because you’ll still be limited with the number of innings he can pitch,” Dombrowski explained, adding that Painter won’t be able to pitch a full season with 180 innings like a typical starter.
That said, even with these limitations, Painter’s presence could significantly bolster the Phillies’ rotation in 2025. If the Phillies can find a way to get him into the mix, they may have a formidable starting unit, pairing him with the likes of Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Painter’s return could be the piece the Phillies need to push them over the top in their pursuit of a World Series title.
